Perez allowed one run in five innings in his Cactus League debut Sunday and was asked afterward about the status of the bull. Perez said that he phoned his brother on his way back to Venezuela following his surgery in Texas, and the decision was made.

"It was good meat," Perez said. "No more bull."

At least he didn't waste the bull, but that still seemed awfully spiteful.

Though he was initially expected to miss the start of the regular season, Perez is close to full strength after his extended work on Sunday.